Microwave Tray with Susceptor Ribs for Even Food Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for heating food items in microwave ovens often result in uneven heating and cooking, with temperature gradients between items due to inefficient use of microwave energy and lack of surface area contact with heating elements.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a tray with a susceptor-coated insert comprising lateral and longitudinal ribs that form multiple receptacles, maximizing surface area contact with microwave energy and ensuring even heating by compartmentalizing food items and using a susceptor-coated central panel for secondary items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If food items are placed in a conventional container for microwave heating, then the container is simple in structure, but the heating is uneven and temperature gradients occur between items
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into multiple compartments using vertical and horizontal partitions that divide the interior space into separate chambers. Each compartment can hold individual food items, ensuring that microwave energy is distributed more uniformly across all items. This segmentation prevents temperature gradients between items by isolating them in dedicated spaces while still exposing them to microwave radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the container are designed with different properties to optimize heating. The partition walls are positioned to create compartments of varying sizes and shapes based on the specific heating requirements of different food items. This local customization of compartment characteristics ensures that each item receives appropriate microwave energy exposure for uniform heating.
2Productivity
If multiple food items are heated simultaneously in a single container, then productivity increases, but heating uniformity decreases due to temperature gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is divided into multiple compartments using vertical partitions that extend from the bottom to the top wall, and horizontal partitions that create separate heating zones. This segmentation allows multiple food items to be heated simultaneously in isolation, preventing temperature gradients between items while maintaining high productivity through parallel processing of multiple items.
Solution Approach 2:
The container uses three-dimensional compartmentalization with vertical and horizontal partitions to create multiple heating zones throughout the volume. This multi-dimensional arrangement maximizes the use of microwave energy distribution in different spatial dimensions, ensuring that items at various positions (top/bottom, front/back, left/right) all receive appropriate heating for uniform temperature distribution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves even heating and browning of food items by maximizing surface area contact with microwave energy, reducing temperature gradients, and maintaining moisture absorption, resulting in crispy exteriors and soft interiors.
Implementation Method 1
container for heating a plurality of food items with microwave energy
Implementation Method 2
heating a plurality of food items with microwave energy
Data Source
AI summary
A container for heating a plurality of food items with microwave energy. The container has a tray with a sidewall extending at least partially around an interior of the tray, an insert disposed at least partially in the interior of the tray, and a plurality of receptacles at least partially defined by the insert. Each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles can be for at least partially receiving at least one food item of the plurality of food items.